Food and beverage delivery system on autonomous and semi-autonomous vehicle

ABSTRACT

Provided herein is an autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle fleet comprising a plurality of autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicles for delivering a food or beverage item to a customer. The autonomous vehicle herein may comprise of storage units that are easily configured to effectively and efficiently carry different types of food or beverage items, including a temperature control system configured to maintain a target unit temperature for different types of food or beverage items.

CROSS REFERENCE

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No.62/538,538, filed on Jul. 28, 2017, the contents of which areincorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The field of autonomous and semi-autonomous vehicles is a growing fieldof innovation. Vehicles are being used for many purposes includingwarehouse inventory operations, household operations, hospitaldeliveries, sanitation, and military or defense applications.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This disclosure relates to an autonomous and/or semi-autonomous vehiclefleet comprising a plurality of vehicles, in particular vehicles fortransporting or retrieving deliveries in either unstructured outdoorenvironment or closed environments.

There are unique challenges when delivering a plurality of foods andbeverage items. Various foods, beverages, and similar items require theybe kept in specific temperature ranges so that they can be delivered atan optimal temperature to a customer. Different items with varyingsizes, shapes, weight, and temperature requirements make efficientdelivery difficult. This difficulty is only compounded when utilizing anautonomous or a semi-autonomous vehicle, which has unique constraintsdirected to energy consumption, size, safety concerns, etc. not dealtwith manned delivery vehicles. Thus, there is a need for a proper foodand beverage delivery system on autonomous and semi-autonomous vehicles.

One aspect provided herein is a platform for autonomously orsemi-autonomously delivering a food or beverage item to a plurality ofcustomers, the platform comprising: a plurality of autonomous orsemi-autonomous vehicles, wherein each vehicle comprises: two or morestorage units, each storage unit configured to contain the food orbeverage item; and a temperature control system configured to maintain atarget unit temperature within each of the two or more storage units;and the platform further comprising a distribution processor configuredto provide an item distribution application comprising: a databasestoring a plurality of item profiles and storage unit profiles, whereineach item profile is associated one of the food or beverage items, and atarget item temperature; and wherein each storage unit profile isassociated with one of the two or more storage units and one of theplurality of vehicles; an order module receiving a plurality of ordersfrom the plurality of customers, wherein each order comprises one ormore of the plurality item profiles; a distribution module assigningeach of the one or more item profiles associated with each of theplurality of orders to one storage unit profile based at least on thetarget item temperature associated with each of the one or more itemprofiles associated with each of the plurality of orders; and a loadingmodule directing the loading of each of the one or more food or beverageitems to at least one of the two or more storage units, based on theassignment of each of the one or more item profiles.

In some embodiments, one or more of the storage units comprises amodular insert configured to secure the food or beverage item. In someembodiments, the modular insert comprises two or more modular inserttypes, wherein each modular insert type is configured to secure aspecific food or beverage item. In some embodiments, each of the storageunits comprise a sensor configured to sense a presence of the food orbeverage item, the vending of the food or beverage item, or both. Insome embodiments, each item profile is further associated with a size,and wherein the distribution module further assigns each of the one ormore item profiles associated with each of the plurality of orders tothe storage unit profile based on the size. In some embodiments, eachstorage unit profile is further associated with a unit location withinone of the plurality of autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicles, andwherein the distribution module further assigns each of the one or moreitem profiles associated with each of the plurality of orders to thestorage unit profile based on the unit location. In some embodiments,the each storage units comprises a thermometer, and wherein the itemdistribution application further comprises a temperature control moduledirecting the temperature control system to maintain the target unittemperature based on a measurement of the thermometer. In someembodiments, each of the plurality of vehicles, each of the two or morestorage units, or both further comprise a temperature control inputconfigured to receive a manual temperature, and wherein the temperaturecontrol module directing the temperature control system to maintain thetarget unit temperature based on the manual temperature. In someembodiments, the temperature control system is configured to maintain afirst target unit temperature within a first storage unit and a secondtarget unit temperature within a second storage unit. In someembodiments, the platform further comprises a server processorconfigured to provide a server application comprising a remotetemperature control module, receiving the target temperature andtransmitting the target temperature to the temperature control system.In some embodiments, at least a portion of the distribution processorcomprises a server distribution processor. In some embodiments, at leasta portion of the distribution processor comprises a vehicle distributionprocessor aboard the vehicle. In some embodiments, the distributionmodule assigns each of the one or more item profiles associated witheach of the plurality of orders to one storage unit profile based on amachine learning algorithm, a rule based algorithm, or both. In someembodiments, each of the two or more two or more storage units are thesame size. In some embodiments, each of the two or more storage unitshave different sizes. In some embodiments, the temperature controlsystem is configured to maintain a different temperature within each ofthe two or more storage units. In some embodiments, the temperaturecontrol system is configured to maintain the same temperature withineach of the two or more storage units. In some embodiments, each storageunit is configured to contain a plurality of the same food or beverageitem. In some embodiments, each storage unit is configured to contain aplurality of different food or beverage items. In some embodiments, eachitem profile is further associated with a shape, and wherein thedistribution module further assigns each of the one or more itemprofiles associated with each of the plurality of orders to the storageunit profile based on the shape. In some embodiments, each item profileis further associated with a weight, and wherein the distribution modulefurther assigns each of the one or more item profiles associated witheach of the plurality of orders to the storage unit profile based on theweight. In some embodiments, some of the vehicles comprise one storageunit.

Another aspect provided herein is an autonomous vehicle for delivering afood or beverage item to a customer, the autonomous vehicle comprising:an input device configured to receive a selection of the food item orbeverage item by a customer; a plurality of compartments, wherein eachcompartment is configured to contain, secure, and vend the food orbeverage item; an air conditioner configured to individually maintain atarget food or beverage item temperature within at least one compartmentbased on the food or beverage item within the compartment; a sensorassociated with at least one compartment, wherein the sensor isconfigured to sense a presence of the food or beverage item, the vendingof the food or beverage item, or both; an autonomous propulsion system;and a non-transitory computer-readable storage media encoded with acomputer program including instructions executable by a processor tocreate an application comprising: a storage module containing anidentifier associated with the food or beverage item, wherein eachidentifier is associated with at least the target food or beverage itemtemperature; a delivery module controlling the autonomous propulsionsystem to direct the autonomous vehicle to a location of the customer; avending module directing one or more of the plurality of compartment tovend the food or beverage item based on the selection; and aconfirmation module determining that the food or beverage item has beenvended based at least on the sensed data.

In some embodiments, the input device comprises a button, a touchscreen,a Bluetooth sensor, a wireless network device, a cellular networkdevice, a camera, a USB input, a keyboard, or any combination thereof.In some embodiments, the compartment is configured to contain, secure,and vend 2 or more of the food or beverage items. In some embodiments,the food or beverage item comprises an indicator associated with anidentifier. In some embodiments, the sensor is configured to sense thepresence of the food or beverage item by sensing the indicator. In someembodiments, the sensor comprises at least one of a thermometer, abarcode scanner, an RFID reader, a scale, a pressure sensor, a switch,and a camera. In some embodiments, vending the food or beverage itemcomprises unlocking a door of the compartment, opening a door of thecompartment, releasing a food or beverage item locked within thecompartment, or any combination thereof. In some embodiments, theautonomous vehicle further comprises an insert. In some embodiments, theinsert comprises a removable insert fastener configured to removablyattach to at least one compartment. In some embodiments, the removableinsert fastener comprises a hook, a ring, a shelf, a bar, a spring, abolt, a nut, a bearing, a bushing, a tie, a clip, a chain, a rack, orany combination thereof. In some embodiments, at least one of the insertand the compartment is configured to affix a specific food or beverageitem. In some embodiments, the specific food comprises a can, a bottle,a fruit, a vegetable, a meat, a poultry, a fish, a frozen food, a freshmeal, or any combination thereof. In some embodiments, the at least onecompartment comprises a removable compartment fastener configured toremovable couple with the removable insert fastener. In someembodiments, the removable compartment fastener comprises a hook, aring, a shelf, a bar, a spring, a bolt, a nut, a bearing, a bushing, atie, a clip, a chain, a rack, or any combination thereof. In someembodiments, the autonomous vehicle further comprises a communicationdevice configured to receive an instruction from a fleet managementmodule. In some embodiments, the delivery module controls the autonomouspropulsion system to direct the autonomous vehicle to the location ofthe customer based at least on the instruction. In some embodiments, theautonomous vehicle further comprises at least one of an energy storagedevice, and an energy collection device. In some embodiments, theautonomous vehicle further comprises a screen configured to display amedia. In some embodiments, the media comprises the food or beverageitem, the target food or beverage item temperature, the presence of thefood or beverage item, the vending of the food or beverage item, thelocation of the customer, or any combination thereof.

Another aspect provided herein is a vehicle fleet comprising a pluralityof autonomous vehicles operating autonomously and/or semi-autonomouslyand a fleet management module, associated with a central server forcoordination of the autonomous vehicle fleet; the fleet managementmodule configured to coordinate the activity and positioning of eachautonomous vehicle in the fleet, wherein the fleet is configured fortransporting, delivering or retrieving goods or services and capable ofoperating in an unstructured open or closed environments; eachautonomous vehicle in the fleet comprising: a power system , aconveyance system; (e.g., a drive system with a propulsion engine,wheels, treads, wings, rotors, blowers, rockets, propellers, brakes,etc.); a navigation module for navigation in the unstructured open orclosed environments; (e.g., digital maps, HD maps, GPS); a communicationmodule configurable to receive, store and send data to the fleetmanagement module, a user, and the autonomous vehicles in the fleet,related to at least; user interactions and the autonomous vehicle fleetinteractions, comprising: scheduled requests or orders, on-demandrequests or orders, or a need for self-positioning of the autonomousvehicle fleet based on anticipated demand within the unstructured openor closed environments; a sensor system, at least one securablecompartment or a plurality of securable compartments to hold said goodsor items associated with said services; and a controller configurable toassociate each one of the at least one or plurality of securablecompartments to an assignable customer, or customer group in amarketplace, or provider and provide entry when authorized; at least oneprocessor configured to manage the conveyance system, the navigationmodule, the sensor system, instructions from the fleet managementmodule, the communication module, and the controller.

In some embodiments, the unstructured open environment is a non-confinedgeographic region accessible by navigable pathways comprising: publicroads; private roads; bike paths; open fields; open public lands; openprivate lands; pedestrian walkways; lakes; rivers; streams; or openairspace.

In some embodiments, the closed environment is a confined, enclosed orsemi-enclosed structure accessible by navigable pathways comprising:open areas or rooms within commercial architecture, with or withoutstructures or obstacles therein; airspace within open areas or roomswithin commercial architecture, with or without structures or obstaclestherein; public or dedicated aisles; hallways; tunnels; ramps;elevators; conveyors; or pedestrian walkways.

In some embodiments, the navigation module controls routing of theconveyance system of the autonomous vehicles in the fleet in theunstructured open or closed environments.

In some embodiments, the communication to the user, to the autonomousvehicles in the fleet, between the autonomous vehicles of the fleet, andbetween the user and the autonomous vehicles in the fleet, occurs viawireless transmission.

In some embodiments, the user comprises a fleet manager; asub-contracting vendor; a service provider; a customer; a businessentity; an individual; or a third party.

In some embodiments, the user's wireless transmission interactions andthe autonomous vehicle fleet wireless transmission interactions occurvia mobile application transmitted by an electronic device and forwardedto the communication module via: a central server; a fleet managementmodule; and/or a mesh network.

In some embodiments, the electronic device comprises: a phone; apersonal mobile device; a personal digital assistant (PDA); a mainframecomputer; a desktop computer; a laptop computer; a tablet computer;and/or wearable computing device comprising: a communication headset;smart glasses; a contact lens or lenses; a digital watch; a bracelet; aring; jewelry; or a combination thereof.

In some embodiments, each autonomous vehicle fleet is configured with amaximum speed range from 1.0 mph to 90.0 mph.

In some embodiments, the plurality of securable compartments is humidityand temperature controlled for: hot goods, cold goods, wet goods, drygoods, or combinations or variants thereof.

In some embodiments, the plurality of securable compartments isconfigurable for a plurality of goods. Such configurations and goodscomprise: bookshelves for books; thin drawers for documents; largerbox-like drawers for packages, and sized compartments for vendingmachines, coffee makers, pizza ovens and dispensers.

In some embodiments, the plurality of securable compartments is variablyconfigurable based on: anticipated demands; patterns of behaviors; areaof service; or types of goods to be transported.

In some embodiments, the services comprise: subscription services;prescription services; marketing services; advertising services;notification services; a mobile marketplace; or requested, ordered orscheduled delivery services. In particular embodiments, the scheduleddelivery services include, by way of example, special repeat deliveriessuch as groceries, prescriptions, drinks, mail, documents, etc.

In some embodiments, the services further comprise: the user receivingand returning the same or similar goods within the same interaction;(e.g., signed documents); the user receiving one set of goods andreturning a different set of goods within the same interaction; (e.g.,product replacement/returns, groceries, merchandise, books, recording,videos, movies, payment transactions, etc.); a third party userproviding instruction and or authorization to a goods or serviceprovider to prepare, transport, deliver and/or retrieve goods to aprinciple user in a different location.

In some embodiments, the services further comprise: general services,(e.g., picking up a user's dry cleaning, dropping off a user's drycleaning, renting goods, (such as tools, DVDs, etc.), sharing/borrowinggoods from other users or businesses, etc.). Further still, it may be ageneral pickup service for items to be shipped, returned, or sent toother users/businesses, etc.

In some embodiments, at least one autonomous vehicle in the fleet isfurther configured to process or manufacture goods.

In some embodiments, the processed or manufactured goods comprise:beverages, etc., with or without condiments; (e.g., coffee, tea,carbonated drinks, etc.); a plurality of fast foods; or microwavablefoods.

In some embodiments, the autonomous vehicle fleet further comprises atleast one autonomous vehicle having a digital display for curatedcontent comprising: advertisements (i.e., for both specific user andgeneral public), including; services provided, marketing/promotion,regional/location of areas served, customer details, local environment,lost, sought or detected people, public service announcements, date,time, or weather.

In some embodiments of the autonomous vehicle fleet, the positioning ofautonomous vehicles can be customized based on: anticipated use, apattern of historical behaviors, or specific goods being carried.

In some embodiments, the autonomous vehicle fleet is fully-autonomous.

In some embodiments, the autonomous vehicle fleet is semi-autonomous.

In some embodiments, the autonomous vehicle fleet is controlled directlyby the user.

In some embodiments of the autonomous vehicle fleet, a plurality of saidautonomous or semi-autonomous vehicles within the fleet is operated onbehalf of third party vendor/service provider; (e.g., fleet managed byan owner, but providing a coffee service/experience for a third partyvendor (i.e., Starbucks) with white label vehicles in the fleet).

In some embodiments of the autonomous vehicle fleet, a plurality of saidautonomous vehicles within the fleet is further configured to be part ofa sub-fleet comprising a sub-plurality of autonomous vehicles, whereineach sub-fleet is configured to operate independently or in tandem withmultiple sub-fleets comprising two or more sub-fleets.

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

All publications, patents, and patent applications mentioned in thisspecification are herein incorporated by reference to the same extent asif each individual publication, patent, or patent application wasspecifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The novel features of the invention are set forth with particularity inthe appended claims. A better understanding of the features andadvantages of the present invention will be obtained by reference to thefollowing detailed description that sets forth illustrative embodiments,in which the principles of the invention are utilized, and theaccompanying drawings of which:

FIG. 1 is an illustration of an exemplary vehicle fleet, in accordancewith some embodiments;

FIG. 2 is an perspective view of an exemplary autonomous vehiclecomprising a plurality of compartments, in accordance with someembodiments;

FIG. 3 is an front view of an exemplary autonomous vehicle beside awalking person, in accordance with some embodiments;

FIG. 4 is an right side view of an exemplary autonomous vehicle, inaccordance with some embodiments;

FIG. 5 is an left side view of an exemplary autonomous vehicle beside anaverage person, in accordance with some embodiments;

FIG. 6 is an rear view of an exemplary autonomous vehicle in accordancewith some embodiments;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an exemplary food delivery autonomousvehicle, in accordance with some embodiments;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an exemplary pizza delivery autonomousvehicle, in accordance with some embodiments;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of an exemplary coffee delivery autonomousvehicle, in accordance with some embodiments;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an exemplary meal delivery autonomousvehicle comprising a lighted interior, in accordance with someembodiments;

FIG. 11A is a perspective view of an exemplary autonomous vehicle, inaccordance with some embodiments;

FIG. 11B is a perspective view of another exemplary autonomous vehicle,in accordance with some embodiments;

FIG. 12 is a flowchart of an exemplary fleet control system, inaccordance with some embodiments;

FIG. 13 is a flowchart of an exemplary fleet control module, inaccordance with some embodiments;

FIG. 14 is a non-limiting schematic diagram of a digital processingdevice; in this case, a device with one or more CPUs, a memory, acommunication interface, and a display, in accordance with someembodiments;

FIG. 15 is a non-limiting schematic diagram of a web/mobile applicationprovision system; in this case, a system providing browser-based and/ornative mobile user interfaces, in accordance with some embodiments;

FIG. 16 is a non-limiting schematic diagram of a cloud-based web/mobileapplication provision system; in this case, a system comprising anelastically load balanced, auto-scaling web server and applicationserver resources as well synchronously replicated databases, inaccordance with some embodiments;

FIG. 17 is a non-limiting schematic diagram of a platform forautonomously or semi-autonomously delivering a food or beverage item toa plurality of customers;

FIG. 18 is a non-limiting schematic diagram of a platform forautonomously or semi-autonomously delivering a food or beverage item toa plurality of customers; and

FIG. 19 is a non-limiting perspective illustration of storage unitswithin a vehicle.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

This disclosure relates to an autonomous or semi-autonomous vehiclefleet comprising a plurality of autonomous vehicles, for transporting orretrieving deliveries in either open unstructured outdoor environmentsor closed environments.

Provided herein is an autonomous or semi-autonomous land vehicleconfigured to receive a modular unit.

Currently, dedicated custom-made manned vehicles are used for specificuse cases. Manned vehicles with cooling systems have been used todeliver fresh cool produce. Such dedicated custom vehicles, however, areunable to simultaneously deliver different items. Alternatively,delivery services that use generic unmodified vehicles are able tosimultaneously deliver a wide array of items, but are not configured foroptimal delivery of temperature or motion sensitive items.

By contrast, the reconfigurable autonomous vehicle herein may be easilymodified to carry different types of removable display cases to enableoptimal transport and delivery of various items. The reconfigurableautonomous vehicle herein may be configured to provide optimal deliveryof various items without interaction or maintenance by a human driver.Further, the reconfigurable autonomous vehicle may be employed forlonger operating hours per day than human drivers, whereby facilereconfigurability ensures optimal utilization throughout the day and/ornight.

Fleet of Autonomous Vehicles

Provided herein, per FIG. 1, is a vehicle fleet 100, comprising aplurality of autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicles 101.

In some embodiments, one or more of the vehicles 101 in the vehiclefleet 100 are autonomous. In some embodiments, one or more of thevehicles 101 in the vehicle fleet 100 are autonomous. In someembodiments the semi-autonomous vehicles 101 can be manually controllerby an operator. Manual override may be required to, for example, addressnavigation malfunctions, provider inventory issues, or unanticipatedtraffic, mechanical failure, electrical failure, traffic accident, androad conditions. In some embodiments of the plurality of autonomousvehicles 101 within the fleet 100 is operated on behalf of third partyvendor or service provider. The third party vendor or service providermay comprise a food and beverage provider.

In some embodiments, one or more of the vehicles 101 within the vehiclefleet 100 are configured to be part of a sub-fleet 100 a that operatesindependently or in tandem with other sub-fleets 100 a. In one example,the sub-fleet 100 a of vehicles 101 may only provide a product, service,or level of service associated with a single vendor. Each of thevehicles 101 in the sub-fleet 100 a may display a logo of the vendor oran alternative indicator representing the specific product, service, orlevel of service associated with that vehicle 101. Levels of service mayinclude immediate dedicated rush service, guaranteed morning/afternoondelivery service, and general delivery service. Some sub-fleets 100 amay offer a faster or more prioritized service than other sub-fleets 100a.

Autonomous and Semi-Autonomous Vehicles

As illustrated in FIGS. 1-11, the vehicle 101 may comprise an autonomousor semi-autonomous automobile configured for land travel. The vehicle101 may have a width, a height, and a length, wherein the length isabout 2 feet to about 5 feet. The vehicle 101 may be lightweight andhave a low center of gravity for increased stability. The vehicle 101may be configurable for land, water, or air. The vehicle 101 maycomprise a land vehicle such as, for example, a car, a wagon, a van, atricycle, a truck, a trailer, a bus, a train, or a tram. The vehicle 101may comprise a watercraft such as, for example, a ship, a boat, a ferry,a landing craft, a barge, a rafts, a hovercraft, or any combinationthereof.. Alternatively, the vehicle 101 may comprise an aircraft or aspacecraft.

Each vehicle 101 in the fleet may comprise an autonomous propulsionsystem 130 comprising a drive system, a propulsion engine, a wheel, atreads, a wing, a rotor, a blower, a rocket, a propeller, a brake, orany combination thereof.

In one exemplary embodiment, a vehicle 101 comprises a land vehicleconfigured with a traditional 4-wheeled automotive configurationcomprising conventional steering and braking systems. In thisembodiment, the drive train may be configurable for standard 2-wheeldrive or 4-wheel all-terrain traction drive, and the propulsion systemmay be configurable as a gas engine, a turbine engine, an electricmotor, and/or a hybrid gas/electric engine.

In some embodiments, the vehicle 101 is configured for water travel as awatercraft with a propulsion system comprising a gas engine, a turbineengine, an electric motor and/or a hybrid gas/electric engine, or anycombination thereof. In some embodiments, the vehicle 101 is configuredfor hover travel as an over-land or over-water hovercraft or anair-cushion vehicle (ACV) and is configured with blowers to produce alarge volume of air below the hull that is slightly above atmosphericpressure. In some embodiments, the vehicle 101 is configured for airtravel as an aerial drone or aerial hovercraft and is configured withwings, rotors, blowers, rockets, and/or propellers and an appropriatebrake system.

The vehicle 101 may further comprise an auxiliary solar power system toprovide back-up emergency power or power for minor low-powersub-systems. In some embodiments, each vehicle of the vehicle fleet isconfigured with one or more power sources, such as battery, solar,gasoline, or propane. In some embodiments, the vehicle 101 furthercomprises a digital display for curated content comprisingadvertisements, marketing promotions, a public service notification, anemergency notification, or any combination thereof.

Each vehicle 101 in the fleet 100 may comprise a sensor systemcomprising a plurality of onboard sensors such as, for example, acamera, a video camera, a LiDAR, a radar, an ultrasonic sensor, and amicrophone. Each vehicle 101 may further comprise an internal computerfor real time navigation and obstacle avoidance, based on the datareceived by the sensors.

In some embodiments, the vehicles may further comprise an autonomouspropulsion system sensor configured to monitor drive mechanismperformance (e.g., the propulsion engine), power system levels (e.g.,battery, solar, gasoline, propane, etc.), monitor drive trainperformance (e.g., transmission, tires, brakes, rotors, etc.), or anycombination thereof.

In some embodiments, the vehicle is further configured to process ormanufacture a good. In some embodiments, the vehicle is configured toprocess or manufacture the good in-transit. In some embodiments, theprocessed or manufactured good comprises: a beverage with or withoutcondiments (such as coffee, tea, carbonated drinks, etc.), a fast food,a microwavable food, a reheatable food, or a rehydratable food. In someembodiments, the vehicle is equipped for financial transactions throughdebit or credit card readers.

In some embodiments, the vehicle 101 has a driving speed of about 1 mileper hour (mph) to about 90 mph, to accommodate inner-city, residential,and intrastate or interstate driving. In some embodiments, the vehicle101 is configured for land travel. In some embodiments, each vehicle 101in the fleet is configured with a working speed range from 13.0 mph to45.0 mph. In some embodiments, the vehicle 101 is configured with amaximum speed range from 13.0 mph to about 90.0 mph. In someembodiments, vehicle 101 is configured for water travel as a watercraftand is configured with a working speed range from 1.0 mph to 45.0 mph.In some embodiments, the vehicle 101 is configured for hover travel asan over-land or over-water hovercraft and is configured with a workingspeed range from 1.0 mph to 60.0 mph. In some embodiments, the vehicle101 is configured for air travel as an aerial drone or aerial hovercraftand is configured with a working speed range from 1.0 mph to 80.0 mph.

Primary and Secondary Compartments

Provided herein, per FIG. 2, is an autonomous vehicle 101 comprising aplurality of compartments 102, 104. In some embodiments, the autonomousvehicle 101 comprises a primary compartment 102 and a secondarycompartment 104 within the primary compartment 102. In some embodiments,the plurality of compartments is non-modular. In other embodiments, someof the compartments are modular while the other compartments arenon-modular. In some embodiments, the plurality of compartments may behumidity and/or temperature controlled for: hot goods, cold goods, wetgoods, dry goods, or combinations thereof. In some embodiments, theplurality of securable compartments is configurable for a plurality ofgoods. Exemplary compartments and goods comprise: bookshelves for books;thin drawers for documents; larger box-like drawers for packages; andsized compartments for vending machines, embedded coffee makers, pizzaovens, and dispensers. In some embodiments, the plurality of securablecompartments may be configured and reconfigured based on: anticipateddemands, patterns of behaviors, area of service, the types of goods tobe transported, or any combination thereof. Alternately, thecompartments may be configured to contain a set of goods to form amobile marketplace (similar to a mini bar at a hotel).

As illustrated in FIGS. 8 - 10, the compartment may comprise variousadditional amenities such as lights for night deliveries, condimentdispensers, and display screens.

Provided herein, per FIG. 11A and FIG. 11B, is a reconfigurableautonomous vehicle 101 for displaying and vending an item 1100 to acustomer comprising a plurality of removable display cases 1110, anautonomous propulsion system, and a non-transitory computer-readablestorage media encoded with a computer program including instructionsexecutable by a processor to create an application.

In some embodiments, each display case 1110 comprises the item 1100, adisplay fastener 1120 and at least one of: a temperature control systemconfigured to maintain a target temperature within the removable displaycase 1110; a display screen 1130 configured to display a case media; anda vending device 1140 configured to vend the item 1100. In someembodiments, the autonomous vehicle 101 further comprises a vehicleinterior fastener configured to removably affix the display fastener1120. The autonomous vehicle 101 may further comprise an energy storagedevice configured to provide energy to the removable display case 1110.In some embodiments, the energy storage device is further configured toprovide power to the autonomous propulsion system, the display, thevending device, or any combination thereof.

In some embodiments, the application comprises a transmission moduleconfigured to receive an instruction from a fleet management module; theinstruction comprising a route, and at least one of the targettemperature and the case media; and a command module configured tocommunicate at least one of the target temperature and the case media tothe removable display case 1110, and a navigation module configured todirect the autonomous propulsion system based on the route. In someembodiments, the command module is configured to communicate the targettemperature, the media, or both to the removable case through acommunication hub. In some embodiments, the communication hub comprisesa Wi-Fi router, a Bluetooth router, a cellular network, a jack, anoutlet, a wire, or any combination thereof. In some embodiments, theroute comprises a location of the customer.

In some embodiments, the display fastener 1120 comprises a hook, a ring,a shelf, a bar, a spring, a bolt, a nut, a bearing, a bushing, a tie, aclip, a chain, a rack, or any combination thereof. In some embodiments,the vehicle interior fastener comprises a hook, a ring, a shelf, a bar,a spring, a bolt, a nut, a bearing, a bushing, a tie, a clip, a chain, arack, or any combination thereof.

In some embodiments, the case media is based on the item 1100, thetarget temperature, the route, or any combination thereof. In someembodiments, the autonomous vehicle 101 further comprises a screenconfigured to display a vehicular media. In some embodiments, thevehicular media comprises the item, the target temperature, the media,the route, or any combination thereof.

In some embodiments, the autonomous vehicle 101 further comprises a lockconfigured to prevent unauthorized removal of the display case from theautonomous vehicle. In some embodiments, at least one of the vehicleinterior fastener and the display fastener comprise the lock. In someembodiments, the autonomous vehicle 101 further comprises a strainrelief configured to prevent damage to the autonomous vehicle, thedisplay case, the energy storage device the autonomous propulsionsystem, or any combination thereof.

In some embodiments, the autonomous vehicle 101 further comprises atleast one of a power outlet, a data port, and an exhaust port. The poweroutlet may be configured to provide one or more power ratings toremovable display case 1110 to power the display screen and/or anyadditional electrical components within the removable display case 1110.The data port may enable data transmission to and/or from the removabledisplay case 1110 and transmission module and the command module. Thedata may comprise a stock of items within the removable display case1110, a current temperature removable display case 1110, the case media,a price associated with the item 1100, or any combination thereof.

At least one of the autonomous vehicle and the compartment may comprisea controller configured to associate each one of the plurality ofsecurable compartments 102, 104 to an assigned customer or provider andprovide entry to the securable compartments 102, 104 upon authorization.Each securable compartment 102, 104 may be secured separately totransport goods to separate sets of customers. As such, the autonomousvehicle may deliver a first good or service to a first assigned customerfrom within a first securable compartment 102 and then deliver a secondgood or service to a second assigned customer from within the secondsecurable compartment 104.

Upon arrival of the autonomous vehicle to the customer destination, thecustomer may open their respective compartment(s) by verifying theiridentity. In one embodiment, the customer verifies their identity byproviding a PIN (e.g., 4 digit number) via a touchscreen or a keypadwithin the autonomous vehicle, which they received upon initialrequest/order. The customer may verify themselves using their mobilephone and an RFID reader on the autonomous vehicle. Alternatively, thecustomer is verified through voice recognition of a keyword orkey-phrase, wherein the autonomous vehicle comprises a microphone and avoice recognition application for recognition thereof. Further, inanother embodiment, the customer is verified through facial oridentification recognition, wherein the autonomous vehicle comprises acamera and a facial recognition application for recognition thereof.Additionally or alternatively, the customer is verified through amagnetic strip, RFID key or any other computer readable form ofidentification. Finally, in another embodiment, the customer is verifiedby entering a code or identification value on their mobile device,wherein the autonomous vehicle receives a cellular signal comprising aconfirmation of the user or data related to the code of identificationof the user.

In some embodiments, the vehicle could be configured for water travel,providing at least one and preferably two large storage compartments,and more preferably, at least one large compartment is configured with aplurality of smaller internal secure compartments of variableconfigurations to carry individual items that are to be delivered to, orneed to be retrieved from customers. Further still, in some embodiments,the vehicle could be configured for hover travel, providing at least oneand preferably two large storage compartments, and more preferably, atleast one large compartment is configured with a plurality of smallerinternal secure compartments of variable configurations to carryindividual items that are to be delivered to, or need to be retrievedfrom customers. Further still, in some embodiments, the vehicle could beconfigured for aerial drone or aerial hover travel, providing at leastone and preferably two large storage compartments, and more preferably,at least one large compartment is configured with a plurality of smallerinternal secure compartments of variable configurations to carryindividual items that are to be delivered to, or need to be retrievedfrom customers.

Fleet Management Module

Provided herein, per FIG. 12, is a system for fleet managementcomprising a fleet management module 1201, a central server 1202, avehicle 1204, a customer 1203, and a service provider 1205. In someembodiments, the fleet management module 1201 coordinates, assignstasks, and monitors the position of each of the plurality of vehicles1204 in the fleet. The fleet management module 1201 may coordinate thevehicles 1204 in the fleet to monitor and collect data regardingunstructured open or closed environments, and report to the serviceprovider 1205. As seen, the fleet management module 1201 may coordinatewith a central server 1202. The central server 1202 may be located in acentral operating facility owned or managed by the fleet owner. Theservice provider 1205 may comprise a third party provider of a good orservice. The service provider 1205 may comprise a vendor, a business, arestaurant, a delivery service, a retailer, or any combination thereof.

In some embodiments, the fleet management module 1201 is configured toreceive, store and transmit data to and/or from the service provider1205. The fleet management module 1201 may receive and transmit data toand/or from the service provider 1205 via a service providerapplication. In some embodiments, the service provider applicationcomprises a computer application, an internet application, a tabletapplication, a phone application, or any combination thereof.

In some embodiments, the central server 1202 is configured to receive,store and transmit data to and/or from the customer 1203. The centralserver 1202 may receive and transmit data to and/or from the customer1203 via a customer application. In some embodiments, the customerapplication comprises a computer application, an internet application, atablet application, a phone application, or any combination thereof.

In some embodiments, the vehicle 1204 comprises a memory device to storethe data for future data transfer or manual download.

In one example, an order by a customer 1203 is transmitted to a centralserver 1202, which then communicates with the fleet management module1201, which relays the order to the service provider 1205 associatedwith the order and a vehicle 1204. The fleet management module 1201 mayemploy one or more vehicles 1204 or sub-fleet vehicles 1204 that areclosest to the service provider 1205, customer 1203, or both. Theassigned service provider then interacts with that vehicle 1204 througha service provider application to supply the vehicle 1204 with anygoods, maps, or instructions associated with the order. The vehicle 1204then travels to the customer 1203 and reports completion of the order toat least one of the customer 1203, the service provider 1205, thecentral server 1202, and the fleet management module 1201.

In some embodiments the vehicle 1204 may be operated on behalf of theservice provider 1205, wherein at least one of the central server 1202and the fleet management module 1201 is operated by the service provider1205. In any one of the embodiments, the vehicle 1204 is controlleddirectly by the customer 1203, the service provider 1205, or both. Insome embodiments, human interaction of the vehicle 1204 may be requiredto address maintenance issues such as mechanical failure, electricalfailure or a traffic accident.

In one example, the fleet management module 1201 receives an instructionfrom the service provider 1205 to collect an item at a first locationand deliver the item to a second location. Upon receipt of theinstruction, the fleet management module 1201 may assign one or more ofthe vehicles 1204 to perform the instruction by navigating the one ormore of the vehicles 1204 the first location. The one more of thevehicles 1204 may then confirm the receipt of the item and navigate tothe second location. The one more of the vehicles 1204 may then deliverthe item to the second location and confirm receipt of the delivery. Insome embodiments, the one more of the vehicles 1204 may further receivean identification associated with the first location, the secondlocation, or both, to enable receipt and delivery of the item.

In one example, a request by the customer 1203 is sent to the centralserver 1202, which then communicates with the fleet management module1201 to relay the request to the service provider 1205, which instructsthe vehicles 1204. The fleet management module 1201 may select one ormore of the vehicles 1204 within the geographic region and/or proximityof the customer 1203, the service provider 1205, or both. The vehicles1204 may be first directed to a location associated with the serviceprovider 1205 to receive an item associated with the request. Thevehicle 1204 may then travel to a location associated with the customer1203. The customer 1203 may then interacts with the one or more vehicle1204 to retrieve the item. The customer 1203 may retrieve the item byopening a compartment within the vehicle 1204. The customer 1203 mayopen the compartment within the vehicle 1204 through a customerapplication, or a customer interface comprising, for example, an RFIDreader, a touchpad, a keypad, a voice command, or a vision-basedrecognition. Upon completion the vehicles 1204 may then report acompletion of the request to the fleet management module 1201 and bereassigned to a subsequent request.

In some embodiments, the autonomous fleet may be strategicallypositioned throughout a geographic region in anticipation of a knowndemand. Demand for autonomous vehicle services may be predicted bystoring historical demand data relating to the quantity, timing, andtype of request received in each region. Such demand predictions mayfurther be weighted by the cost or importance of the good or service andemploy historical trends for higher efficiency and throughput. As such,the fleet management module may position the autonomous vehicles asclose as possible to the expected source locations.

Per FIG. 13, the fleet management module 1301 instructs the processor1303 of the autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle via a communicationmodule 1302. The processor 1303 may be configured to send an instructionand receive a sensed data from the sensor system 1306, and may furthercontrol at least one of the power system 1307, the navigation module1305, and the conveyance system 1304. The processor 1303 mayadditionally be configured to instruct a controller 1308 to open asecurable compartment 1309 to release any contents associated with anorder. The processor 1303 may allow manual override of the conveyancesystem 1304, the navigational system 1305, or both.

In some embodiments, the processor 1303 is in functional communicationwith the communication module 1302. In some embodiments, thecommunication module 1302 is adapted to receive, store, and/or transmitdata to and from the customer and the fleet management module 1301. Insome embodiments, the data comprises a schedule, a request or order, acurrent location, a delivery location, a service provider location, aroute, an estimated time of arrival (ETA), a repositioning instruction,a vehicle condition, a vehicle speed, or any combination thereof. Insome embodiments, the processor 1303 is capable of both high-levelcomputing for processing as well as low-level safety-critical computingcapacity for controlling the hardware. The processor 1303 may configuredto direct the conveyance system 1304, the navigation module 1305, thesensor system 1306, the power system 1307, the controller 1308, or anycombination thereof. The processor 1303 may reside aboard the autonomousor semi-autonomous vehicle, or at a remote location.

In some embodiments, the communication module 1302 is configured toreceive, store and transmit data via wireless transmission (e.g., 4G,5G, or satellite communications). In some embodiments, the wirelesstransmission occurs via: a central server, a fleet management module, amesh network, or any combination thereof. In some embodiments, thecustomer application is configured to send and receive data via anelectronic device comprising a phone, a personal mobile device, apersonal digital assistant (PDA), a mainframe computer, a desktopcomputer, a laptop computer, a tablet computer, and/or wearablecomputing device comprising: a communication headset, smart glasses, ora combination thereof.

In some embodiments, the fleet management module 1301 directs each ofthe vehicles 1204 through a navigation module 1305. In some embodiments,the navigation module 1305 controls the conveyance system 1304 totranslate the autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle through theunstructured open or closed environments. In some embodiments, thenavigation module 1305 comprises an HD maps, a weather condition, anelevation map, a digital map, a street view photograph, a GPS point, orany combination thereof. In some embodiments, the map is generated by acustomer, a customer, a service provider, a fleet operator, an onlinerepository, a public database, or any combination thereof. In someembodiments, the map is generated only for intended operationalgeography. The maps may be augmented or confirmed by data obtained bythe sensor system 1306. The navigation module 1305 may further implementdata collected by the sensor system 1306 to determine the locationand/or the surroundings of the autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle. Insome embodiments, the map further comprises a navigation markercomprising a lane, a road sign, an intersection, a grade, or anycombination thereof. As such the navigation module 1305, in combinationwith processors and/or applications vehicles 1204 enable a safe, robustnavigation trajectory.

In some embodiments, the fleet management module 1301 is configured todetermine and predict a geographic demand for the autonomous orsemi-autonomous vehicles for strategic placement throughout a geographicregion in anticipation of a known demand. The fleet management module1301 may determine and predict a geographic demand by storing datarelating the location, quantity, time, price, item, item type, service,service type, service provider, or any combination thereof of placedorders and requests. Further, the service provider may provideindependently measured trends to supplement or augment the measuredtrends. As such, the vehicles may be strategically placed to reducetransit and idle time and to increase sales volume and efficiency.

Operating Environments

The autonomous vehicles in the fleet may be configured to operate withina variety of unstructured open operating environments to enable serviceto a broad range of locations. In some embodiments, the unstructuredopen environment is a non-confined geographic region accessible bynavigable pathways comprising: public roads; private roads; bike paths;open fields, open public lands, open private lands, pedestrian walkways,lakes, rivers, or streams. In some embodiments, the closed environmentis a confined, enclosed, or semi-enclosed structure accessible bynavigable pathways comprising: open areas or rooms within commercialarchitecture, with or without structures or obstacles therein; airspacewithin open areas or rooms within commercial architecture, with orwithout structures or obstacles therein; public or dedicated aisles;hallways; tunnels; ramps; elevators; conveyors; or pedestrian walkways.In some embodiments, the unstructured open environment is a non-confinedairspace or even near-space environment which includes all main layersof the Earth's atmosphere comprising the troposphere, the stratosphere,the mesosphere, the thermosphere and the exosphere. In some embodiments,the navigation module controls routing of the conveyance system of thevehicles in the fleet in the unstructured open or closed environments.

Goods and Services

In some embodiments, the user comprises a fleet manager, asub-contracting vendor, a service provider, a customer, a businessentity, an individual, or a third party. In some embodiments, theservices comprises a subscription service, a prescription service, amarketing service, an advertising service, a notification service, arequested service, an ordered service, a scheduled delivery service, orany combination thereof. For example, the scheduled delivery servicesmay include special repeat deliveries such as groceries, prescriptions,drinks, mail, documents, or any combination thereof.

In some embodiments, the services alternatively or further comprise areturn of a good (e.g., a signed document), receiving one set of goodsand returning a different set of goods (e.g., productreplacement/returns, groceries, merchandise, books, recording, videos,movies, payment transactions, etc.), or a third party user providinginstruction and or authorization to a goods or service provider toprepare, transport, deliver and/or retrieve goods to a principle user ina different location. In some embodiments, the services further oralternatively comprise: advertising services, land survey services,patrol services, monitoring services, traffic survey services, signageand signal survey services, architectural building, or roadinfrastructure survey services.

In some embodiments, the service further or alternatively comprisesprocessing or manufacturing a good. In some embodiments, the autonomousvehicle is configured to process or manufacture the good in-transit. Insome embodiments, the processed or manufactured good comprises: abeverage with or without condiments (such as coffee, tea, carbonateddrinks, etc.), a fast food, a microwavable food, a reheatable food, or arehydratable food. In some embodiments, the service comprises afinancial transaction. In some embodiments, the service comprisesadvertising, marketing, public safety, public service, or anycombination thereof.

In some embodiments, the food or beverage items have an optimumtemperature. For example, some food and beverage items (e.g., soups,rice dishes, burgers, tea, or coffee) may be preferentially received bya consumer when they are warm. Other food and beverage items (e.g., icecream, sodas) are preferentially received by a consumer when they arecool. In some cases when items that are preferentially delivered hot andcold are delivered in the same autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle,these items may be delivered in separate compartments with differenttemperature control systems managing the temperatures accordingly. Insome embodiments, the food or beverage items have different sizes,shapes, and weights. Hence, in some cases, to maximize the efficiency ofan autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle which may have limited energystorage, size, or ability to carry items over a certain weightedthreshold, it may be important for storage units of these autonomous andsemi-autonomous vehicles (and the modular units therein) to havedifferent shapes and sizes to effective store and deliver thesediffering items. In some embodiments, items of similar targettemperature profiles are grouped together in the same storage unit ormodular insert. In some embodiments, items of similar target sizeprofiles may be grouped together in the same storage unit or modularinsert. In some embodiments, items of different target weight profiles(e.g., one heavy item, one small item) may be grouped together in thesame storage unit or modular insert.

Digital Processing Device

In some embodiments, the platforms, systems, media, and methodsdescribed herein include a digital processing device, or use of thesame. In further embodiments, the digital processing device includes oneor more hardware central processing units (CPUs) or general purposegraphics processing units (GPGPUs) that carry out the device'sfunctions. In still further embodiments, the digital processing devicefurther comprises an operating system configured to perform executableinstructions. In some embodiments, the digital processing device isoptionally connected a computer network. In further embodiments, thedigital processing device is optionally connected to the Internet suchthat it accesses the World Wide Web. In still further embodiments, thedigital processing device is optionally connected to a cloud computinginfrastructure. In other embodiments, the digital processing device isoptionally connected to an intranet. In other embodiments, the digitalprocessing device is optionally connected to a data storage device.

In accordance with the description herein, suitable digital processingdevices include, by way of non-limiting examples, server computers,desktop computers, laptop computers, notebook computers, sub-notebookcomputers, netbook computers, netpad computers, set-top computers, andmedia streaming devices, handheld computers, Internet appliances, mobilesmartphones, tablet computers, personal digital assistants, video gameconsoles, and vehicles. Those of skill in the art will recognize thatmany smartphones are suitable for use in the system described herein.Those of skill in the art will also recognize that select televisions,video players, and digital music players with optional computer networkconnectivity are suitable for use in the system described herein.Suitable tablet computers include those with booklet, slate, andconvertible configurations, known to those of skill in the art.

In some embodiments, the digital processing device includes an operatingsystem configured to perform executable instructions. The operatingsystem is, for example, software, including programs and data, whichmanages the device's hardware and provides services for execution ofapplications. Those of skill in the art will recognize that suitableserver operating systems include, by way of non-limiting examples,FreeBSD, OpenBSD, NetBSD®, Linux, Apple® Mac OS X Server®, Oracle®Solaris®, Windows Server®, and Novell® NetWare®. Those of skill in theart will recognize that suitable personal computer operating systemsinclude, by way of non-limiting examples, Microsoft® Windows®, Apple®Mac OS X®, UNIX®, and UNIX-like operating systems such as GNU/Linux®. Insome embodiments, the operating system is provided by cloud computing.Those of skill in the art will also recognize that suitable mobile smartphone operating systems include, by way of non-limiting examples, Nokia®Symbian® OS, Apple® iOS®, Research In Motion® BlackBerry OS®, Google®Android®, Microsoft® Windows Phone® OS, Microsoft® Windows Mobile® OS,Linux®, and Palm® WebOS®. Those of skill in the art will also recognizethat suitable media streaming device operating systems include, by wayof non-limiting examples, Apple TV®, Roku®, Boxee®, Google TV®, GoogleChromecast®, Amazon Fire®, and Samsung® HomeSync®. Those of skill in theart will also recognize that suitable video game console operatingsystems include, by way of non-limiting examples, Sony® PS3®, Sony®PS4®, Microsoft® Xbox 360®, Microsoft Xbox One, Nintendo® Wii®,Nintendo® Wii U®, and Ouya®.

In some embodiments, the device includes a storage and/or memory device.The storage and/or memory device is one or more physical apparatusesused to store data or programs on a temporary or permanent basis. Insome embodiments, the device is volatile memory and requires power tomaintain stored information. In some embodiments, the device isnon-volatile memory and retains stored information when the digitalprocessing device is not powered. In further embodiments, thenon-volatile memory comprises flash memory. In some embodiments, thenon-volatile memory comprises dynamic random-access memory (DRAM). Insome embodiments, the non-volatile memory comprises ferroelectric randomaccess memory (FRAM). In some embodiments, the non-volatile memorycomprises phase-change random access memory (PRAM). In otherembodiments, the device is a storage device including, by way ofnon-limiting examples, CD-ROMs, DVDs, flash memory devices, magneticdisk drives, magnetic tapes drives, optical disk drives, and cloudcomputing based storage. In further embodiments, the storage and/ormemory device is a combination of devices such as those disclosedherein.

In some embodiments, the digital processing device includes a display tosend visual information to a user. In some embodiments, the display is aliquid crystal display (LCD). In further embodiments, the display is athin film transistor liquid crystal display (TFT-LCD). In someembodiments, the display is an organic light emitting diode (OLED)display. In various further embodiments, on OLED display is apassive-matrix OLED (PMOLED) or active-matrix OLED (AMOLED) display. Insome embodiments, the display is a plasma display. In other embodiments,the display is a video projector. In yet other embodiments, the displayis a head-mounted display in communication with the digital processingdevice, such as a VR headset. In further embodiments, suitable VRheadsets include, by way of non-limiting examples, HTC Vive, OculusRift, Samsung Gear VR, Microsoft HoloLens, Razer OSVR, FOVE VR, Zeiss VROne, Avegant Glyph, Freefly VR headset, and the like. In still furtherembodiments, the display is a combination of devices such as thosedisclosed herein.

In some embodiments, the digital processing device includes an inputdevice to receive information from a user. In some embodiments, theinput device is a keyboard. In some embodiments, the input device is apointing device including, by way of non-limiting examples, a mouse,trackball, track pad, joystick, game controller, or stylus. In someembodiments, the input device is a touch screen or a multi-touch screen.In other embodiments, the input device is a microphone to capture voiceor other sound input. In other embodiments, the input device is a videocamera or other sensor to capture motion or visual input. In furtherembodiments, the input device is a Kinect, Leap Motion, or the like. Instill further embodiments, the input device is a combination of devicessuch as those disclosed herein.

Referring to FIG. 14, in a particular embodiment, a digital processingdevice 1401 is programmed or otherwise configured to managing autonomousvehicles. The device 1401 is programmed or otherwise configured tomanage autonomous vehicles. In this embodiment, the digital processingdevice 1401 includes a central processing unit (CPU, also “processor”and “computer processor” herein) 1405, which is optionally a singlecore, a multi core processor, or a plurality of processors for parallelprocessing. The digital processing device 1401 also includes memory ormemory location 1410 (e.g., random-access memory, read-only memory,flash memory), electronic storage unit 1415 (e.g., hard disk),communication interface 1420 (e.g., network adapter) for communicatingwith one or more other systems, and peripheral devices 1425, such ascache, other memory, data storage and/or electronic display adapters.The memory 1410, storage unit 1415, interface 1420 and peripheraldevices 1425 are in communication with the CPU 1405 through acommunication bus (solid lines), such as a motherboard. The storage unit1415 comprises a data storage unit (or data repository) for storingdata. The digital processing device 1401 is optionally operativelycoupled to a computer network (“network”) 1430 with the aid of thecommunication interface 1420. The network 1430, in various cases, is theinternet, an internet, and/or extranet, or an intranet and/or extranetthat is in communication with the internet. The network 1430, in somecases, is a telecommunication and/or data network. The network 1430optionally includes one or more computer servers, which enabledistributed computing, such as cloud computing. The network 1430, insome cases, with the aid of the device 1401, implements a peer-to-peernetwork, which enables devices coupled to the device 1401 to behave as aclient or a server.

Continuing to refer to FIG. 14, the CPU 1405 is configured to execute asequence of machine-readable instructions, embodied in a program,application, and/or software. The instructions are optionally stored ina memory location, such as the memory 1410. The instructions aredirected to the CPU 105, which subsequently program or otherwiseconfigure the CPU 1405 to implement methods of the present disclosure.Examples of operations performed by the CPU 1405 include fetch, decode,execute, and write back. The CPU 1405 is, in some cases, part of acircuit, such as an integrated circuit. One or more other components ofthe device 1401 are optionally included in the circuit. In some cases,the circuit is an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) or afield programmable gate array (FPGA).

Continuing to refer to FIG. 14, the storage unit 1415 optionally storesfiles, such as drivers, libraries and saved programs. The storage unit1415 optionally stores user data, e.g., user preferences and userprograms. The digital processing device 1401, in some cases, includesone or more additional data storage units that are external, such aslocated on a remote server that is in communication through an intranetor the internet.

Continuing to refer to FIG. 14, the digital processing device 1401optionally communicates with one or more remote computer systems throughthe network 1430. For instance, the device 1401 optionally communicateswith a remote computer system of a user. Examples of remote computersystems include personal computers (e.g., portable PC), slate or tabletPCs (e.g., Apple® iPad, Samsung® Galaxy Tab, etc.), smartphones (e.g.,Apple® iPhone, Android-enabled device, Blackberry®, etc.), or personaldigital assistants.

Methods as described herein are optionally implemented by way of machine(e.g., computer processor) executable code stored on an electronicstorage location of the digital processing device 101, such as, forexample, on the memory 1410 or electronic storage unit 1415. The machineexecutable or machine readable code is optionally provided in the formof software. During use, the code is executed by the processor 1405. Insome cases, the code is retrieved from the storage unit 1415 and storedon the memory 1410 for ready access by the processor 1405. In somesituations, the electronic storage unit 1415 is precluded, andmachine-executable instructions are stored on the memory 1410.

Non-Transitory Computer Readable Storage Medium

In some embodiments, the platforms, systems, media, and methodsdisclosed herein include one or more non-transitory computer readablestorage media encoded with a program including instructions executableby the operating system of an optionally networked digital processingdevice. In further embodiments, a computer readable storage medium is atangible component of a digital processing device. In still furtherembodiments, a computer readable storage medium is optionally removablefrom a digital processing device. In some embodiments, a computerreadable storage medium includes, by way of non-limiting examples,CD-ROMs, DVDs, flash memory devices, solid state memory, magnetic diskdrives, magnetic tape drives, optical disk drives, cloud computingsystems and services, and the like. In some cases, the program andinstructions are permanently, substantially permanently,semi-permanently, or non-transitorily encoded on the media.

Computer Program

In some embodiments, the platforms, systems, media, and methodsdisclosed herein include at least one computer program, or use of thesame. A computer program includes a sequence of instructions, executablein the digital processing device's CPU, written to perform a specifiedtask. Computer readable instructions may be implemented as programmodules, such as functions, objects, Application Programming Interfaces(APIs), data structures, and the like, that perform particular tasks orimplement particular abstract data types. In light of the disclosureprovided herein, those of skill in the art will recognize that acomputer program may be written in various versions of variouslanguages.

The functionality of the computer readable instructions may be combinedor distributed as desired in various environments. In some embodiments,a computer program comprises one sequence of instructions. In someembodiments, a computer program comprises a plurality of sequences ofinstructions. In some embodiments, a computer program is provided fromone location. In other embodiments, a computer program is provided froma plurality of locations. In various embodiments, a computer programincludes one or more software modules. In various embodiments, acomputer program includes, in part or in whole, one or more webapplications, one or more mobile applications, one or more standaloneapplications, one or more web browser plug-ins, extensions, add-ins, oradd-ons, or combinations thereof.

Web Application

In some embodiments, a computer program includes a web application. Inlight of the disclosure provided herein, those of skill in the art willrecognize that a web application, in various embodiments, utilizes oneor more software frameworks and one or more database systems. In someembodiments, a web application is created upon a software framework suchas Microsoft®.NET or Ruby on Rails (RoR). In some embodiments, a webapplication utilizes one or more database systems including, by way ofnon-limiting examples, relational, non-relational, object oriented,associative, and XML database systems. In further embodiments, suitablerelational database systems include, by way of non-limiting examples,Microsoft® SQL Server, mySQL™, and Oracle®. Those of skill in the artwill also recognize that a web application, in various embodiments, iswritten in one or more versions of one or more languages. A webapplication may be written in one or more markup languages, presentationdefinition languages, client-side scripting languages, server-sidecoding languages, database query languages, or combinations thereof. Insome embodiments, a web application is written to some extent in amarkup language such as Hypertext Markup Language (HTML), ExtensibleHypertext Markup Language (XHTML), or eXtensible Markup Language (XML).In some embodiments, a web application is written to some extent in apresentation definition language such as Cascading Style Sheets (CSS).In some embodiments, a web application is written to some extent in aclient-side scripting language such as Asynchronous Javascript and XML(AJAX), Flash® ActionScript, JavaScript, or Silverlight®. In someembodiments, a web application is written to some extent in aserver-side coding language such as Active Server Pages (ASP),ColdFusion®, Perl, Java™, JavaServer Pages (JSP), Hypertext Preprocessor(PHP), Python™, Ruby, Tcl, Smalltalk, WebDNA®, or Groovy. In someembodiments, a web application is written to some extent in a databasequery language such as Structured Query Language (SQL). In someembodiments, a web application integrates enterprise server productssuch as IBM® Lotus Domino®. In some embodiments, a web applicationincludes a media player element. In various further embodiments, a mediaplayer element utilizes one or more of many suitable multimediatechnologies including, by way of non-limiting examples, Adobe® Flash®,HTML 5, Apple® QuickTime® , Microsoft® Silverlight®, Java™, and Unity®.

Referring to FIG. 15, in a particular embodiment, an applicationprovision system comprises one or more databases 1500 accessed by arelational database management system (RDBMS) 1510. Suitable RDBMSsinclude Firebird, MySQL, PostgreSQL, SQLite, Oracle Database, MicrosoftSQL Server, IBM DB2, IBM Informix, SAP Sybase, SAP Sybase, Teradata, andthe like. In this embodiment, the application provision system furthercomprises one or more application severs 1520 (such as Java servers,.NET servers, PHP servers, and the like) and one or more web servers1530 (such as Apache, IIS, GWS and the like). The web server(s)optionally expose one or more web services via app applicationprogramming interfaces (APIs) 1540. Via a network, such as the internet,the system provides browser-based and/or mobile native user interfaces.

Referring to FIG. 16, in a particular embodiment, an applicationprovision system alternatively has a distributed, cloud-basedarchitecture 1600 and comprises elastically load balanced, auto-scalingweb server resources 1610, and application server resources 1620 as wellsynchronously replicated databases 1630.

Platform for Autonomously or Semi-Autonomously Delivering a Food orBeverage Item

Provided herein, per FIGS. 17 and 18, are platforms for autonomously orsemi-autonomously delivering a food or beverage item to a plurality ofcustomers,

As seen in FIG. 17, the platform for autonomously or semi-autonomouslydelivering a food or beverage item to a plurality of customers maycomprise a plurality of autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicles 1710, anda distribution processor configured to provide an item distributionapplication 1740. Each vehicle 1710 may comprise two or more storageunits 1720 and a temperature control system 1730. In some embodiments,one or more vehicle may comprise one storage unit.

Each storage unit 1720 may be configured to contain the food or beverageitem. One or more of the storage units 1720 may comprise a modularinsert. The modular insert may be configured to secure the food orbeverage item. In some embodiments, the modular insert comprises two ormore modular insert types. Each modular insert type may be configured tosecure a specific food or beverage item. In some embodiments, each ofthe storage units 1720 comprise a sensor configured to sense a presenceof the food or beverage item, the vending of the food or beverage item,or both.

The temperature control system 1730 may be configured to maintain atarget unit temperature within each of the two or more storage units1720. In some embodiments, the each storage units 1720 comprises athermometer, and wherein the temperature control module directing thetemperature control system 1730 to maintain the target unit temperaturebased on a measurement of the thermometer. In some embodiments, each ofthe plurality of vehicles 1710, each of the two or more storage units1720, or both further comprise a temperature control input configured toreceive a manual temperature, and wherein the temperature control moduledirecting the temperature control system 1730 to maintain the targetunit temperature based on the manual temperature. In some embodiments,the temperature control system 1730 is configured to maintain a firsttarget unit temperature within a first storage unit 1720 and a secondtarget unit temperature within a second storage unit.

The distribution application 1740 may comprise a database 1741, an ordermodule 1742, a distribution module 1743, and a loading module. Thedatabase 1741 may store a plurality of item profiles and storage unit1720 profiles. Each item profile may be associated one of the food orbeverage items, and a target item temperature. Each storage unit 1720profile may be associated with one of the two or more storage units 1720and one of the plurality of vehicles 1710.

The order module 1742 may receive a plurality of orders from theplurality of customers. Each order may comprise one or more of theplurality item profiles

The distribution module 1743 may assign each of the one or more itemprofiles associated with each of the plurality of orders to one storageunit 1720 profile. The distribution module 1743 may assign each of theone or more item profiles associated with each of the plurality oforders to one storage unit 1720 profile based at least on the targetitem temperature associated with each of the one or more item profilesassociated with each of the plurality of orders. In some embodiments,each item profile is further associated with a size, and wherein thedistribution module 1743 further assigns each of the one or more itemprofiles associated with each of the plurality of orders to the storageunit 1720 profile based on the size. In some embodiments, each storageunit 1720 profile is further associated with a unit location within oneof the plurality of autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicles 1710, andwherein the distribution module 1743 further assigns each of the one ormore item profiles associated with each of the plurality of orders tothe storage unit 1720 profile based on the unit location.

The loading module may direct the loading of each of the one or morefood or beverage items to at least one of the two or more storage units1720. The loading module may direct the loading of each of the one ormore food or beverage items to at least one of the two or more storageunits 1720, based on the assignment of each of the one or more itemprofiles.

In some embodiments, at least a portion of the distribution processorcomprises a vehicle 1710 distribution processor aboard the vehicle. Insome embodiments, the distribution module 1743 assigns each of the oneor more item profiles associated with each of the plurality of orders toone storage unit 1720 profile based on a machine learning algorithm, arule based algorithm, or both.

As seen in FIG. 18, the platform for autonomously or semi-autonomouslydelivering a food or beverage item to a plurality of customers maycomprise a plurality of autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicles 1810, anda distribution processor configured to provide an item distributionapplication 1840. Each vehicle 1810 may comprise two or more storageunits 1820 and a temperature control system 1830.

Each storage unit 1820 may be configured to contain the food or beverageitem. One or more of the storage units 1820 may comprise a modularinsert. The modular insert may be configured to secure the food orbeverage item. In some embodiments, the modular insert comprises two ormore modular insert types. Each modular insert type may be configured tosecure a specific food or beverage item. In some embodiments, each ofthe storage units 1820 comprise a sensor configured to sense a presenceof the food or beverage item, the vending of the food or beverage item,or both.

The temperature control system 1830 may be configured to maintain atarget unit temperature within each of the two or more storage units1820. In some embodiments, the each storage units 1820 comprises athermometer, and wherein the temperature control module directing thetemperature control system 1830 to maintain the target unit temperaturebased on a measurement of the thermometer. In some embodiments, each ofthe plurality of vehicles 1810, each of the two or more storage units1820, or both further comprise a temperature control input configured toreceive a manual temperature, and wherein the temperature control moduledirecting the temperature control system 1830 to maintain the targetunit temperature based on the manual temperature. In some embodiments,the temperature control system 1830 is configured to maintain a firsttarget unit temperature within a first storage unit 1820 and a secondtarget unit temperature within a second storage unit.

The distribution application 1840 may comprise a database 1841, an ordermodule 1842, a distribution module 1843, and a loading module. Thedatabase 1841 may store a plurality of item profiles and storage unit1820 profiles. Each item profile may be associated one of the food orbeverage items, and a target item temperature. Each storage unit 1820profile may be associated with one of the two or more storage units 1820and one of the plurality of vehicles 1810.

The order module 1842 may receive a plurality of orders from theplurality of customers. Each order may comprise one or more of theplurality item profiles

The distribution module 1843 may assign each of the one or more itemprofiles associated with each of the plurality of orders to one storageunit 1820 profile. The distribution module 1843 may assign each of theone or more item profiles associated with each of the plurality oforders to one storage unit 1820 profile based at least on the targetitem temperature associated with each of the one or more item profilesassociated with each of the plurality of orders. In some embodiments,each item profile is further associated with a size, and wherein thedistribution module 1843 further assigns each of the one or more itemprofiles associated with each of the plurality of orders to the storageunit 1820 profile based on the size. In some embodiments, each storageunit 1820 profile is further associated with a unit location within oneof the plurality of autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicles 1810, andwherein the distribution module 1843 further assigns each of the one ormore item profiles associated with each of the plurality of orders tothe storage unit 1820 profile based on the unit location.

The loading module may direct the loading of each of the one or morefood or beverage items to at least one of the two or more storage units1820. The loading module may direct the loading of each of the one ormore food or beverage items to at least one of the two or more storageunits 1820, based on the assignment of each of the one or more itemprofiles.

In some embodiments, at least a portion of the distribution processorcomprises a vehicle 1810 distribution processor aboard the vehicle. Insome embodiments, the distribution module 1843 assigns each of the oneor more item profiles associated with each of the plurality of orders toone storage unit 1820 profile based on a machine learning algorithm, arule based algorithm, or both.

In some embodiments, the platform further comprises a server processorconfigured to provide a server application 1850 comprising a remotetemperature control module 1851, receiving the target temperature, andtransmitting the target temperature to the temperature control system1830. In some embodiments, at least a portion of the distributionprocessor comprises a server distribution processor.

Storage Units

FIG. 18 is a non-limiting perspective illustration of storage units 1910within a vehicle 101.

Each vehicle may comprise two or more storage units 1910. Each vehicle101 may comprise only one storage unit. Each vehicle may comprise 2, 3,4, 5, 6, 8, 10, 12, 15, 20, 25, 30, 40, 50, 60, 80, 100, or more storageunits 1910, including increments therein. Each storage unit 1910 may beconfigured to contain the food or beverage item 1920. Each storage unit1910 may be configured to contain two or more food or beverage items1920. Each storage unit 1910 may be configured to contain 2, 3, 4, 5, 6,8, 10, 12, 15, 20, 25, 30, 40, 50, 60, 80, 100, or more food or beverageitems 1920, including increments therein.

One or more of the storage units 1910 may comprise a modular insert. Amajority of the storage units 1910 may comprise a modular insert. Eachof the storage units 1910 may comprise a modular insert. Each storageunit 1910 may comprise 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 10, 12, 15, 20, 25, 30, 40, 50,60, 80, 100, or more modular inserts, including increments therein. Themodular insert may be configured to secure the food or beverage item1920. The modular insert may be configured to secure one or more food orbeverage items 1920. Two or more inserts may be required to store onefood or beverage item 1920. In some embodiments, the modular insertcomprises two or more modular insert types. Each modular insert type maybe configured to secure a specific food or beverage item 1920.

In some embodiments, each of the storage units 1910 comprise a sensorconfigured to sense a presence of the food or beverage item 1920, thevending of the food or beverage item 1920, or both. Each of the storageunits 1910 may comprise two or more sensors configured to sense apresence of the food or beverage item 1920, the vending of the food orbeverage item 1920, or both. Each of the storage units 1910 comprise asensor configured to sense an absence of the food or beverage item 1920,the vending of the food or beverage item 1920, or both. Each of thestorage units 1910 comprise a sensor configured to detect the item 1920profile associated with the food or beverage item 1920, the vending ofthe food or beverage item 1920, or both. The sensor may comprise aweight sensor, a touch sensor, a pressure sensor, an infrared sensor, acamera, a video camera, or any combination thereof.

Temperature Control System

The temperature control system may be configured to maintain a targetunit temperature within each of the two or more storage units. Thetemperature control system may be configured to maintain a target unittemperature within only one of the storage units. The temperaturecontrol system may be configured to maintain the same target unittemperature within each of the two or more storage units. In someembodiments, the each storage units comprises a thermometer, and whereinthe temperature control module directing the temperature control systemto maintain the target unit temperature based on a measurement of thethermometer.

In some embodiments, each of the plurality of vehicles, each of the twoor more storage units, or both further comprise a temperature controlinput configured to receive a manual temperature. The temperaturecontrol module may direct the temperature control system to maintain thetarget unit temperature based on the manual temperature. In someembodiments, the temperature control system is configured to maintain afirst target unit temperature within a first storage unit and a secondtarget unit temperature within a second storage unit. The temperaturecontrol input may comprise a knob, a keypad, a wireless device, aBluetooth device, a cellular device, a data port, or any combinationthereof.

Distribution Application

The distribution application may comprise a database, an order module, adistribution module, and a loading module. In some embodiments, thedistribution application is provided by the distribution processor. Insome embodiments, the distribution application is provided by two ormore distribution processors. In some embodiments at least one of thedatabase, an order module, a distribution module, and a loading moduleare provided by the distribution processor. In some embodiments at leastone of the database, an order module, a distribution module, and aloading module are provided by a vehicle processor. The vehicleprocessor may reside aboard the vehicle. In some embodiments at leastone of the distribution processor and the vehicle processor comprises acloud processor, a distributed processor, or any combination thereof.

Database

The database may store a plurality of item profiles and storage unitprofiles. Each item profile may be associated one of the food orbeverage items. Each item profile may be associated one of the food orbeverage items, and a target item temperature. Each storage unit profilemay be associated with one of the two or more storage units and one ofthe plurality of vehicles. Each storage unit profile may be furtherassociated with a target temperature capability. The database may beconfigured to be updated or appended by an administrator.

In some embodiments, the platforms, systems, media, and methodsdisclosed herein include one or more databases, or use of the same. Inview of the disclosure provided herein, those of skill in the art willrecognize that many databases are suitable for autonomous vehicles. Invarious embodiments, suitable databases include, by way of non-limitingexamples, relational databases, non-relational databases, objectoriented databases, object databases, entity-relationship modeldatabases, associative databases, and XML databases. Furthernon-limiting examples include SQL, PostgreSQL, MySQL, Oracle, DB2, andSybase. In some embodiments, a database is internet-based. In furtherembodiments, a database is web-based. In still further embodiments, adatabase is cloud computing-based. In other embodiments, a database isbased on one or more local computer storage devices.

Order Module

The order module may receive a plurality of orders from the plurality ofcustomers. Each order may comprise one or more of the plurality itemprofiles. Each order may further comprise a delivery address, a deliverytime, a delivery state, or any combination thereof. The delivery statemay be associated with the target item temperature, wherein, forexample, a hot food may be associated with a delivery state configuredfor immediate consumption, or for subsequent reheating.

Distribution Module

The distribution module may assign each of the one or more item profilesassociated with each of the plurality of orders to one storage unitprofile. The distribution module may assign each of the one or more itemprofiles associated with an order to the same storage unit profile. Thedistribution module may assign each of the one or more item profilesassociated with an order to different storage unit profile. Thedistribution module may assign item profiles associated with differentorders to the same storage unit profile.

The distribution module may assign each of the one or more item profilesassociated with each of the plurality of orders to one storage unitprofile based at least on the target item temperature associated witheach of the one or more item profiles associated with each of theplurality of orders.

In some embodiments, each item profile is further associated with asize. The distribution module may further assign each of the one or moreitem profiles associated with each of the plurality of orders to thestorage unit profile based on the size. In some embodiments, eachstorage unit profile is further associated with a unit location withinone of the plurality of autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicles. Thedistribution module may further assign each of the one or more itemprofiles associated with each of the plurality of orders to the storageunit profile based on the unit location.

In some embodiments, the distribution module assigns each of the one ormore item profiles associated with each of the plurality of orders toone storage unit profile based on the target temperature capability.

In some embodiments, the distribution module assigns each of the one ormore item profiles associated with each of the plurality of orders toone storage unit profile based on a machine learning algorithm, a rulebased algorithm, or both.

Loading Module

The loading module may direct the loading of each of the one or morefood or beverage items to at least one of the two or more storage units.The loading module may direct the loading of each of the one or morefood or beverage items to at least one of the two or more storage units,based on the assignment of each of the one or more item profiles. Theloading of each of the one or more food or beverage items may beperformed manually or autonomously.

The loading module may direct the loading of each of the one or morefood or beverage items by providing a loading manifest. The loadingmodule may direct the loading of each of the one or more food orbeverage items by providing an instruction to each of the storage unitsto display an icon, barcode, part number, part name, or any combinationthereof, associated with the food or beverage item. The loading modulemay direct the loading of each of the one or more food or beverage itemsby providing an instruction to a marquee, a speaker, a loadingapplication, or any combination thereof.

Server Processor

In some embodiments, the platform further comprises a server processorconfigured to provide a server application comprising a remotetemperature control module, receiving the target temperature andtransmitting the target temperature to the temperature control system.In some embodiments, at least a portion of the distribution processorcomprises a server distribution processor.

Mobile Application

In some embodiments, a computer program includes a mobile applicationprovided to a mobile digital processing device. In some embodiments, themobile application is provided to a mobile digital processing device atthe time it is manufactured. In other embodiments, the mobileapplication is provided to a mobile digital processing device via thecomputer network described herein.

In view of the disclosure provided herein, a mobile application iscreated by techniques known to those of skill in the art using hardware,languages, and development environments known to the art. Those of skillin the art will recognize that mobile applications are written inseveral languages. Suitable programming languages include, by way ofnon-limiting examples, C, C++, C#, Objective-C, Java™, Javascript,Pascal, Object Pascal, Python™, Ruby, VB.NET, WML, and XHTML/HTML withor without CSS, or combinations thereof.

Suitable mobile application development environments are available fromseveral sources. Commercially available development environmentsinclude, by way of non-limiting examples, AirplaySDK, alcheMo,Appcelerator®, Celsius, Bedrock, Flash Lite,.NET Compact Framework,Rhomobile, and WorkLight Mobile Platform. Other development environmentsare available without cost including, by way of non-limiting examples,Lazarus, MobiFlex, MoSync, and Phonegap. Also, mobile devicemanufacturers distribute software developer kits including, by way ofnon-limiting examples, iPhone and iPad (iOS) SDK, Android™ SDK,BlackBerry® SDK, BREW SDK, Palm® OS SDK, Symbian SDK, webOS SDK, andWindows® Mobile SDK.

Those of skill in the art will recognize that several commercial forumsare available for distribution of mobile applications including, by wayof non-limiting examples, Apple® App Store, Google® Play, ChromeWebStore, BlackBerry® App World, App Store for Palm devices, App Catalogfor webOS, Windows® Marketplace for Mobile, Ovi Store for Nokia®devices, Samsung® Apps, and Nintendo® DSi Shop.

Standalone Application

In some embodiments, a computer program includes a standaloneapplication, which is a program that is run as an independent computerprocess, not an add-on to an existing process, e.g., not a plug-in.Those of skill in the art will recognize that standalone applicationsare often compiled. A compiler is a computer program(s) that transformssource code written in a programming language into binary object codesuch as assembly language or machine code. Suitable compiled programminglanguages include, by way of non-limiting examples, C, C++, Objective-C,COBOL, Delphi, Eiffel, Java™, Lisp, Python™, Visual Basic, and VB.NET,or combinations thereof. Compilation is often performed, at least inpart, to create an executable program. In some embodiments, a computerprogram includes one or more executable complied applications.

Web Browser Plug-in

In some embodiments, the computer program includes a web browser plug-in(e.g., extension, etc.). In computing, a plug-in is one or more softwarecomponents that add specific functionality to a larger softwareapplication. Makers of software applications support plug-ins to enablethird-party developers to create abilities which extend an application,to support easily adding new features, and to reduce the size of anapplication. When supported, plug-ins enable customizing thefunctionality of a software application. For example, plug-ins arecommonly used in web browsers to play video, generate interactivity,scan for viruses, and display particular file types. Those of skill inthe art will be familiar with several web browser plug-ins including,Adobe® Flash® Player, Microsoft® Silverlight®, and Apple® QuickTime®.

In view of the disclosure provided herein, those of skill in the artwill recognize that several plug-in frameworks are available that enabledevelopment of plug-ins in various programming languages, including, byway of non-limiting examples, C++, Delphi, Java™, PHP, Python™, andVB.NET, or combinations thereof.

Web browsers (also called Internet browsers) are software applications,designed for use with network-connected digital processing devices, forretrieving, presenting, and traversing information resources on theWorld Wide Web. Suitable web browsers include, by way of non-limitingexamples, Microsoft® Internet Explorer®, Mozilla® Firefox®, Google®Chrome, Apple® Safari®, Opera Software® Opera®, and KDE Konqueror. Insome embodiments, the web browser is a mobile web browser. Mobile webbrowsers (also called microbrowsers, mini-browsers, and wirelessbrowsers) are designed for use on mobile digital processing devicesincluding, by way of non-limiting examples, handheld computers, tabletcomputers, netbook computers, subnotebook computers, smartphones, musicplayers, personal digital assistants (PDAs), and handheld video gamesystems. Suitable mobile web browsers include, by way of non-limitingexamples, Google® Android® browser, RIM BlackBerry® Browser, Apple®Safari®, Palm® Blazer, Palm® WebOS® Browser, Mozilla® Firefox® formobile, Microsoft® Internet Explorer® Mobile, Amazon® Kindle® Basic Web,Nokia® Browser, Opera Software® Opera® Mobile, and Sony® PSP™ browser.

Software Modules

In some embodiments, the platforms, systems, media, and methodsdisclosed herein include software, server, and/or database modules, oruse of the same. In view of the disclosure provided herein, softwaremodules are created by techniques known to those of skill in the artusing machines, software, and languages known to the art. The softwaremodules disclosed herein are implemented in a multitude of ways. Invarious embodiments, a software module comprises a file, a section ofcode, a programming object, a programming structure, or combinationsthereof. In further various embodiments, a software module comprises aplurality of files, a plurality of sections of code, a plurality ofprogramming objects, a plurality of programming structures, orcombinations thereof. In various embodiments, the one or more softwaremodules comprise, by way of non-limiting examples, a web application, amobile application, and a standalone application. In some embodiments,software modules are in one computer program or application. In otherembodiments, software modules are in more than one computer program orapplication. In some embodiments, software modules are hosted on onemachine. In other embodiments, software modules are hosted on more thanone machine. In further embodiments, software modules are hosted oncloud computing platforms. In some embodiments, software modules arehosted on one or more machines in one location. In other embodiments,software modules are hosted on one or more machines in more than onelocation.

Terms and Definitions

As used herein, the phrases “at least one,” “one or more,” and “and/or”are open-ended expressions that are both conjunctive and disjunctive inoperation. For example, each of the expressions “at least one of A, Band C,” “at least one of A, B, or C,” “one or more of A, B, and C,” “oneor more of A, B, or C,” and “A, B, and/or C” means A alone, B alone, Calone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, or A, B andC together.

As used herein, the terms “fleet,” “sub-fleet,” and like terms are usedto indicate a number of land vehicles, watercraft, or aircraft operatingtogether or under the same ownership. In some embodiments the fleet orsub-fleet is engaged in the same activity. In some embodiments, thefleet or sub-fleet are engaged in similar activities. In someembodiments, the fleet, or sub-fleet are engaged in differentactivities.

As used herein, the terms “autonomous vehicle,” “vehicle fleet,”“vehicle,” “all-terrain vehicle,” and like terms are used to indicate amobile machine that transports cargo. Typical vehicles include cars,wagons, vans, unmanned motor vehicles (e.g., tricycles, trucks,trailers, buses, etc.), unmanned railed vehicles (e.g., trains, trams,etc.), unmanned watercraft (e.g., ships, boats, ferries, landing craft,barges, rafts, etc.), aerial drones, unmanned hovercraft (air, land andwater types), unmanned aircraft, and even including unmanned spacecraft.

As used herein, the terms “user,” “operator,” “fleet operator,” and liketerms are used to indicate the entity that owns or is responsible formanaging and operating the vehicle fleet.

As used herein, the term “customer” and like terms are used to indicatethe entity that requests the services provided the vehicle fleet.

As used herein, the terms “provider,” “business,” “vendor,” “third partyvendor,” and like terms are used to indicate an entity that works inconcert with the fleet owner or operator to utilize the services of thevehicle fleet to deliver the provider's product from and or return theprovider's product to the provider's place of business or staginglocation.

As used herein, the terms “server,” “computer server,” “central server,”“main server,” and like terms are used to indicate a computer or deviceon a network that manages the fleet resources, namely the autonomousvehicles.

As used herein, the term “controller” and like terms are used toindicate a device that controls the transfer of data from a computer toa peripheral device and vice versa. For example, disk drives, displayscreens, keyboards, and printers all require controllers. In personalcomputers, the controllers are often single chips. As used herein thecontroller is commonly used for managing access to components of theautonomous vehicle such as the securable compartments.

As used herein a “mesh network” is a network topology in which each noderelays data for the network. All mesh nodes cooperate in thedistribution of data in the network. It may be applied to both wired andwireless networks. Wireless mesh networks may be considered a type of“Wireless ad hoc” network. Thus, wireless mesh networks are closelyrelated to Mobile ad hoc networks (MANETs). Although MANETs are notrestricted to a specific mesh network topology, Wireless ad hoc networksor MANETs may take any form of network topology. Mesh networks may relaymessages using either a flooding technique or a routing technique. Withrouting, the message is propagated along a path by hopping from node tonode until it reaches its destination. To ensure that all its paths areavailable, the network must allow for continuous connections and mustreconfigure itself around broken paths, using self-healing algorithmssuch as Shortest Path Bridging. Self-healing allows a routing-basednetwork to operate when a node breaks down or when a connection becomesunreliable. As a result, the network is typically quite reliable, asthere is often more than one path between a source and a destination inthe network. This concept may also apply to wired networks and tosoftware interaction. A mesh network whose nodes are all connected toeach other is a fully connected network.

As used herein, the term “module” and like terms are used to indicate aself-contained hardware component of the central server, which in turncomprises software modules. In software, a module is a part of aprogram. Programs are composed of one or more independently developedmodules that are not combined until the program is linked. A singlemodule may contain one or several routines, or sections of programs thatperform a particular task. As used herein the fleet management modulecomprises software modules for managing various aspects and functions ofthe vehicle fleet.

As used herein, the terms “processor,” “digital processing device,” andlike terms are used to indicate a microprocessor or central processingunit (CPU). The CPU is the electronic circuitry within a computer thatcarries out the instructions of a computer program by performing thebasic arithmetic, logical, control and input/output (I/O) operationsspecified by the instructions.

In accordance with the description herein, suitable digital processingdevices include, by way of non-limiting examples, server computers,desktop computers, laptop computers, notebook computers, sub-notebookcomputers, netbook computers, netpad computers, set-top computers,handheld computers, Internet appliances, mobile smartphones, tabletcomputers, personal digital assistants, video game consoles, andvehicles. Those of skill in the art will recognize that many smartphonesare suitable for use in the system described herein. Suitable tabletcomputers include those with booklet, slate, and convertibleconfigurations, known to those of skill in the art.

In some embodiments, the digital processing device includes an operatingsystem configured to perform executable instructions. The operatingsystem is, for example, software, including programs and data, whichmanages the device's hardware and provides services for execution ofapplications. Those of skill in the art will recognize that suitableserver operating systems include, by way of non-limiting examples,FreeBSD, OpenBSD, NetBSD®, Linux, Apple® Mac OS X Server®, Oracle®Solaris®, Windows Server®, and Novell® NetWare®. Those of skill in theart will recognize that suitable personal computer operating systemsinclude, by way of non-limiting examples, Microsoft® Windows®, Apple®Mac OS X®, UNIX®, and UNIX-like operating systems such as GNU/Linux®. Insome embodiments, the operating system is provided by cloud computing.Those of skill in the art will also recognize that suitable mobile smartphone operating systems include, by way of non-limiting examples, Nokia®Symbian® OS, Apple® iOS®, Research In Motion® BlackBerry OS®, Google®Android®, Microsoft® Windows Phone® OS, Microsoft® Windows Mobile® OS,Linux®, and Palm® WebOS®.

In some embodiments, the device includes a storage and/or memory device.The storage and/or memory device is one or more physical apparatus usedto store data or programs on a temporary or permanent basis. In someembodiments, the device is volatile memory and requires power tomaintain stored information. In some embodiments, the device isnon-volatile memory and retains stored information when the digitalprocessing device is not powered. In some embodiments, the non-volatilememory comprises flash memory. In some embodiments, the non-volatilememory comprises dynamic random-access memory (DRAM). In someembodiments, the non-volatile memory comprises ferroelectric randomaccess memory (FRAM). In some embodiments, the non-volatile memorycomprises phase-change random access memory (PRAM). In some embodiments,the device is a storage device including, by way of non-limitingexamples, CD-ROMs, DVDs, flash memory devices, magnetic disk drives,magnetic tapes drives, optical disk drives, and cloud computing basedstorage. In some embodiments, the storage and/or memory device is acombination of devices such as those disclosed herein.

In some embodiments, the digital processing device includes a display tosend visual information to a user. In some embodiments, the display is acathode ray tube (CRT). In some embodiments, the display is a liquidcrystal display (LCD). In some embodiments, the display is a thin filmtransistor liquid crystal display (TFT-LCD). In some embodiments, thedisplay is an organic light emitting diode (OLED) display. In varioussome embodiments, on OLED display is a passive-matrix OLED (PMOLED) oractive-matrix OLED (AMOLED) display. In some embodiments, the display isa plasma display. In some embodiments, the display is a video projector.In some embodiments, the display is interactive (e.g., having a touchscreen or a sensor such as a camera, a 3D sensor, a LiDAR, a radar,etc.) that may detect user interactions/gestures/responses and the like.In still some embodiments, the display is a combination of devices suchas those disclosed herein.

EXAMPLES Example 1 Order Distribution

In one example provided herein, the platform receives an order from acustomer for a pizza and a pint of ice cream. The order module receivesthe item profiles associated with the pizza and the item profileassociated with the ice cream.

In the database, the item profiles for the pizza is associated with atarget item temperature of 100° F. and the ice cream is associated witha target item temperature of 0° F.

The distribution module then assigns the item profile associated withthe pizza to storage unit 1 aboard vehicle 1, and assigns the itemprofile associated with the ice cream to storage unit 10 aboard vehicle1.

The loading module then directs the loading of the pizza to storage unit1 aboard vehicle 1, and the loading of the ice cream to storage unit 10aboard vehicle 1.

Example 2 Set Temperature Distribution

In one example provided herein, the platform receives an order from acustomer for a pizza and a pint of ice cream. The order module receivesthe item profiles associated with the pizza and the item profileassociated with the ice cream.

In the database, the item profiles for the pizza is associated with atarget item temperature of 100° F. and the ice cream is associated witha target item temperature of 0° F.

As an item profile associated with a microwave dinner, which isassociated with a target item temperature of 100° F. has been assignedto storage unit 1 aboard vehicle 1, the distribution module then assignsthe item profile associated with the pizza to storage unit 1 aboardvehicle 1. The distribution module further assigns the item profileassociated with the ice cream to storage unit 10 aboard vehicle 1.

The loading module then directs the loading of the pizza to storage unit1 aboard vehicle 1, and the loading of the ice cream to storage unit 10aboard vehicle 1.

Example 3 Destination Distribution

In one example provided herein, the platform receives an order fromcustomer B for a pizza and a pint of ice cream to location BB. The ordermodule receives the item profiles associated with the pizza and the itemprofile associated with the ice cream.

In the database, the item profiles for the pizza is associated with atarget item temperature of 100° F. and the ice cream is associated witha target item temperature of 0° F.

An item profile associated with a microwave dinner associated with atarget item temperature of 100° F. has already been assigned to storageunit 1 aboard vehicle 1 which is associated with an order from customerA and location AA. As location AA is close to location BB, thedistribution module then assigns the item profiles associated with thepizza and the ice cream to vehicle 1. The distribution module thenassigns the item profiles associated with the pizza to storage unit 1aboard vehicle 1, and assigns the item profile associated with the icecream to storage unit 10 aboard vehicle 1.

The loading module then directs the loading of the pizza to storage unit1 aboard vehicle 1, and the loading of the ice cream to storage unit 10aboard vehicle 1.

Example 4 Storage Unit Location Distribution

In one example provided herein, the platform receives an order from acustomer for a pepperoni pizza and a pint of ice cream. The order modulereceives the item profiles associated with the pepperoni pizza and theitem profile associated with the ice cream.

In the database, the item profiles for the pepperoni pizza is associatedwith a target item temperature of 100° F. and the ice cream isassociated with a target item temperature of 0° F.

As an item profile associated with a microwave dinner, which isassociated with a target item temperature of 100° F. has been assignedto storage unit 1 aboard vehicle 1, the distribution module then assignsthe item profile associated with the pepperoni pizza to storage unit 1aboard vehicle 1. As both the pizza and the ice cream are ordered fordelivery to the same location, and to ensure that the ice cream does notabsorb the pepperoni aromas, the distribution module then assigns theitem profile associated with the ice cream to storage unit 10 aboardvehicle 1, wherein storage unit 10 is located far from storage unit 1.

The loading module then directs the loading of the pizza to storage unit1 aboard vehicle 1, and the loading of the ice cream to storage unit 10aboard vehicle 1.

What is claimed is:
 1. A platform for autonomously or semi-autonomouslydelivering a food or beverage item to a plurality of customers, theplatform comprising: a) a plurality of autonomous or semi-autonomousvehicles, wherein each vehicle comprises: (i) two or more storage units,each storage unit configured to contain the food or beverage item; and(ii) a temperature control system configured to maintain a target unittemperature within each of the two or more storage units; and b) theplatform further comprising a distribution processor configured toprovide an item distribution application comprising: (i) a databasestoring a plurality of item profiles and storage unit profiles, whereineach item profile is associated with one of the food or beverage itemsand a target item temperature; and wherein each storage unit profile isassociated with one of the two or more storage units and one of theplurality of vehicles; (ii) an order module receiving a plurality oforders from the plurality of customers, wherein each order comprises oneor more of the plurality item profiles; (iii) a distribution moduleassigning each of the one or more item profiles associated with each ofthe plurality of orders to one storage unit profile based at least onthe target item temperature associated with each of the one or more itemprofiles associated with each of the plurality of orders; and (iv) aloading module directing the loading of each of the one or more food orbeverage items to at least one storage unit, based on the assignment ofeach of the one or more item profiles.
 2. The platform of claim 1,wherein one or more of the storage units comprises a modular insertconfigured to secure the food or beverage item.
 3. The platform of claim2, wherein the modular insert comprises two or more modular inserttypes, wherein each modular insert type is configured to secure aspecific food or beverage item.
 4. The platform of claim 1, wherein eachof the storage units comprise a sensor configured to sense a presence ofthe food or beverage item, the vending of the food or beverage item, orboth.
 5. The platform of claim 1, wherein each item profile is furtherassociated with a size, and wherein the distribution module furtherassigns each of the one or more item profiles associated with each ofthe plurality of orders to the storage unit profile based on the size.6. The platform of claim 1, wherein each storage unit profile is furtherassociated with a unit location within one of the plurality ofautonomous or semi-autonomous vehicles, and wherein the distributionmodule further assigns each of the one or more item profiles associatedwith each of the plurality of orders to the storage unit profile basedon the unit location.
 7. The platform of claim 1, wherein the eachstorage units comprises a thermometer and wherein the item distributionapplication further comprises a temperature control module directing thetemperature control system to maintain the target unit temperature basedon a measurement of the thermometer.
 8. The platform of claim 7, whereineach of the plurality of vehicles, each of the two or more storageunits, or both further comprise a temperature control input configuredto receive a manual temperature, and wherein the temperature controlmodule directing the temperature control system to maintain the targetunit temperature based on the manual temperature.
 9. The platform ofclaim 1, wherein the temperature control system is configured tomaintain a first target unit temperature within a first storage unit anda second target unit temperature within a second storage unit.
 10. Theplatform of claim 7, further comprising a server processor configured toprovide a server application comprising a remote temperature controlmodule, receiving the target temperature and transmitting the targettemperature to the temperature control system.
 11. The platform of claim1, wherein at least a portion of the distribution processor comprises aserver distribution processor.
 12. The platform of claim 1, wherein atleast a portion of the distribution processor comprises a vehicledistribution processor aboard the vehicle.
 13. The platform of claim 1,wherein the distribution module assigns each of the one or more itemprofiles associated with each of the plurality of orders to one storageunit profile based on a machine learning algorithm, a rule basedalgorithm, or both.
 14. The platform of claim 1, wherein each of the twoor more storage units are the same size.
 15. The platform of claim 1,wherein each of the two or more storage units have different sizes. 16.The platform of claim 1, wherein the temperature control system isconfigured to maintain a different temperature within each of the two ormore storage units.
 17. The platform of claim 1, wherein the temperaturecontrol system is configured to maintain the same temperature withineach of the two or more storage units.
 18. The platform of claim 1,wherein each storage unit is configured to contain a plurality of thesame food or beverage item.
 19. The platform of claim 1, wherein eachstorage unit is configured to contain a plurality of different food orbeverage items.
 20. The platform of claim 1, wherein each item profileis further associated with a shape, and wherein the distribution modulefurther assigns each of the one or more item profiles associated witheach of the plurality of orders to the storage unit profile based on theshape.
 21. The platform of claim 1, wherein each item profile is furtherassociated with a weight, and wherein the distribution module furtherassigns each of the one or more item profiles associated with each ofthe plurality of orders to the storage unit profile based on the weight.